Italian Zeppole Donuts Recipe

Welcome to the wonderful world of Italian pastry! Light, fluffy balls of sugary, doughy deliciousness, Italian Zeppole are bite-sized donuts that are a perfectly naughty treat for any time of the day.

Zeppole aren’t difficult to make, and unlike other dough recipes they require no time to rise. There are a few tricks to getting them right, however with a little practice you will be whipping them up in no time!

If you want to make a larger batch of these donuts simply double the ingredients. We love eating these donuts while they are still warm, served with thick Greek yoghurt, fresh raspberries and a pot of strong coffee – what a decadent way to start the day!

Ingredients (makes 8-10 donuts)

1/2 a cup of water

2 tablespoons of sugar

1/4 of a teaspoon of salt

1/4 of a cup of butter

1/2 a cup of plain flour

2 eggs

Vegetable or canola oil for frying

Sugar, for dusting the donuts

Method

1. In a medium sized saucepan heat butter, water, sugar and salt until the butter is fully melted and all of the ingredients are combined.
2. Add the flour and stir continuously until a ball of dough forms, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and add dough to a mixing bowl. Allow to cool.
3. In a heavy based saucepan add oil for frying, making sure it covers at least the first 2-3 inches of the bottom of the saucepan. Heat oil until it is at a temperature of 190C (375F). ele Tip -we use a food thermometer to test the oil to make sure it is hot enough.
4. Add the eggs to the cooked dough mix and stir thoroughly, it will initially appear that the dough is too wet but keep mixing until the eggs are fully mixed through.
5. Using two tablespoons, spoon a scoop of dough carefully in to the hot oil. Repeat this step until you have 4-5 donuts cooking in the oil. Cook for about 5 minutes until the donuts are crisp and golden, carefully turning them over halfway through cooking.
6. Remove the donuts from the oil and lay them on a sheet of kitchen towel. Repeat for the second batch of donuts. Once all of the donuts are cooked and most of the oil has been absorbed by the kitchen towel, roll the donuts in a tray of sugar until they are coated. Serve warm and enjoy!

Love Zeppole? Here are some Zeppole alternates to try:

1. Beignets: Beignets are a French pastry that is very similar to zeppole. They are made from a simple dough that is fried until golden brown and dusted with powdered sugar.
2. Churros: Churros are a popular Spanish dessert that are also similar to zeppole. They are made from a dough that is piped into hot oil and fried until crispy, then rolled in cinnamon sugar.
3. Donuts: If you’re looking for a simpler alternative, you can always try making doughnuts. They may not have the same fluffy texture as zeppole, but they are still a delicious and satisfying treat.
4. Fritters: Fritters are another option that you can try. They are made from a batter that is fried until golden brown, and can be filled with anything from apples to zucchini.
5. Funnel cakes: Funnel cakes are a classic carnival treat that are easy to make at home. They are made from a simple batter that is poured through a funnel into hot oil, and then topped with powdered sugar.

Love Sweet Treats? Try our Dark Chocolate Chip and Cranberry Cookies recipe here and our Layered Strawberry Crumble Pots here.